Nottingham attacks: Festive display in Ian Coates' memory

Ian Coates "loved Christmas time", according to the head of Huntingdon Academy

Every year before he was killed, school caretaker Ian Coates used to spend months making impressive Christmas displays for pupils to enjoy.

Now pupils and staff have created a festive display in memory of Mr Coates, who was one of three victims of the Nottingham attacks.

The children at Huntingdon Academy in St Ann's spent hours making individual models.

Staff then put these together to make the display.

'Very kind man'

Ashleigh, seven, made winter scenes in boxes with her sister Paige, 11.

"We created this because he isn't here anymore," said Ashleigh.

Describing Mr Coates' displays, Ashleigh said: "They were very special because they made us happy and he always used to make us laugh and he made the best winter scenes."

Paige said the school's caretaker "was a very kind man and he made people laugh and very happy".

Sisters Ashleigh and Paige made winter scenes in boxes, while cousins Georgia and Payton made a big wheel

Cousins Georgia and Payton, both nine, made a festive big wheel.

Georgia, said: "We made this creation because we wanted to have a memory of Mr Coates. We knew him really well because we were his friends, because we stay after school as our mums are dinner ladies."

Payton said: "We really wanted a memory of him because he made the whole entire school really good at Christmas."

Mr Coates worked at Huntingdon Academy for seven years before he was killed.

He was stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane, also known as Adam Mendes, on 13 June.

University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar were also fatally stabbed in the attacks.

Calocane, 32, has admitted three counts of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, but denies murder.

Ian Coates made this Christmas grotto for pupils in 2021

Becky Riley, head of school, said Mr Coates "loved Christmas time" and felt it was really important "to bring joy into children's lives".

"I love talking about Ian's Christmas displays because they were just so special and unique," she said.

"I believe he'd start it in June or July time, it would take him months. It was always top secret - nobody was allowed to know what the theme was going to be."

'Highlight of year'

Teacher Emma Appleby said carrying on Mr Coates' legacy is "so important for the children".

"The children and staff loved it, every single year, it was such a highlight of the year, coming in the first weekend of December and seeing everything he'd done," she said.

"They've all put so much effort into the projects that we've asked them to do, it's a delight to see."

Fellow teacher Louise Wraight said: "I don't think we can put into words how much he's missed, especially this time of year."

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